Usually only senior students have prep blocks (scholarship prep). Make note of the names of younger student exceptions on a chart (divide into blocks) which is kept in the library office. Students from junior classes always need a permission slip to present to the library staff before they can use this work area. You may need to send a reminder out to staff in September and again in early June to just underscore that the Library is not intended as day care.
Another option is for students to sign a contract with Counselling to be allowed in the library.
Script for Study Block Talk
At the beginning of the year students with spares are expected to report to the library for attendance for the first rotations through their timetables. Use this time for a quick chat about expectations in the library and outlining the services the library offers - preferably with an administer there as backup to your words. This will save you much time and frustration later. Your script for the talk should touch on:
Purpose of study block
Acceptable noise levels and work expectations in the library (explain arrow sign)
Other spaces in the school where students may work
Computer use expectations - academic use only, login system, printing options, adding money to printer accounts
Information Literacy Tools available - databases, online library collection (OPAC)
Other services available - supplies, tools, notetaking sheets, reference collection sheets
Food/Beverage Rules (only water is allowed in our library)
Opening Hours, invitation to ask for assistance
Supplies for Student Use
Signage - Use a whiteboard arrow sign on a stand (Carr McLean carries these) and each day record if the classroom or computers are booked. Students can then make informed seating choices without having to ask you for direction. Laminated reserved cards can be placed on tables or computers. Free Supplies to use: 3-hole punch, tape, stapler, paper clips, pencil crayons, felt pens, boxes of brightly coloured paper scraps (from a printing company) and electric and hand pencil sharpeners. These are on the library circulation desk counter near the printer. Ask nicely to borrow: Lined paper, graph paper, construction paper, paper cutter, white out. Supplies to sign out: Scissors, rulers, and gluesticks may be signed out using the circulation system. Just place a bar code on tape attached through the scissor handles or around the gluestick. When gluestick is finished just cut off the tag and easily reattach it to a new gluestick. Works like a charm.
Rulers have a security strip on them
Grab Basket of Supplies: Any pencils, pens, short rulers, erasers, and other supplies found in the library or no longer needed go into the basket for students to help themselves. Supplies for sale: Everything is $1 - posterboard, fineliners, index cards. Index cards are a big seller. I order them from Staples through our office, pay a pittance for each package of 100, and make a tidy profit to supplement our petty cash fund. To advertise write a message on an index card (Purchase index cards in Library $1 for 100) and place in each teacher's box asking them to staple the card up on their classroom wall. Foreign Language, English, Socials, History teachers are only too happy to have the Library offer this service.
It's good to have a quiet zone for students who need to work without interruptions.
Notetaking Sheets - Here is one sample which might be useful.
STUDY BLOCKS
Usually only senior students have prep blocks (scholarship prep). Make note of the names of younger student exceptions on a chart (divide into blocks) which is kept in the library office. Students from junior classes always need a permission slip to present to the library staff before they can use this work area. You may need to send a reminder out to staff in September and again in early June to just underscore that the Library is not intended as day care.
Another option is for students to sign a contract with Counselling to be allowed in the library.
Script for Study Block Talk
At the beginning of the year students with spares are expected to report to the library for attendance for the first rotations through their timetables. Use this time for a quick chat about expectations in the library and outlining the services the library offers - preferably with an administer there as backup to your words. This will save you much time and frustration later. Your script for the talk should touch on:
Supplies for Student Use
Signage - Use a whiteboard arrow sign on a stand (Carr McLean carries these) and each day record if the classroom or computers are booked. Students can then make informed seating choices without having to ask you for direction. Laminated reserved cards can be placed on tables or computers.
Free Supplies to use: 3-hole punch, tape, stapler, paper clips, pencil crayons, felt pens, boxes of brightly coloured paper scraps (from a printing company) and electric and hand pencil sharpeners. These are on the library circulation desk counter near the printer.
Ask nicely to borrow: Lined paper, graph paper, construction paper, paper cutter, white out.
Supplies to sign out: Scissors, rulers, and gluesticks may be signed out using the circulation system. Just place a bar code on tape attached through the scissor handles or around the gluestick. When gluestick is finished just cut off the tag and easily reattach it to a new gluestick. Works like a charm.
Grab Basket of Supplies: Any pencils, pens, short rulers, erasers, and other supplies found in the library or no longer needed go into the basket for students to help themselves.
Supplies for sale: Everything is $1 - posterboard, fineliners, index cards. Index cards are a big seller. I order them from Staples through our office, pay a pittance for each package of 100, and make a tidy profit to supplement our petty cash fund. To advertise write a message on an index card (Purchase index cards in Library $1 for 100) and place in each teacher's box asking them to staple the card up on their classroom wall. Foreign Language, English, Socials, History teachers are only too happy to have the Library offer this service.
Notetaking Sheets - Here is one sample which might be useful.
Reference Collection Form - Based on MLA 7 ed. Print resources on one side, digital on the other.